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HID Global is focused on creating customer value worldwide with technology-based access solutions, issuance solutions, embedded technology solutions and logistics technology solutions. HID is selected more than any other brand in the convergence of physical and logical access control.

HID Global news

Open architecture in physical access control is built around Mercury Security’s access control panels, the de facto standard embraced by more than two dozen access control original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Mercury and several of its OEMs teamed up March 3-4 to present MercTech4, a conference in Miami aimed at updating security consultants about the latest developments related to the Mercury platform.
MercTech4 highlighted a new generation of access control products, which are increasing the capabilities for Mercury OEMs in areas such as two-way communication and encryption. Enhancements include use of the OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) v2 communication standard instead of the older (and less flexible, less secure) Wiegand standard. Other advantages are relay count activations, a crypto memory chip and default encryption, a critical feature ensuring greater cybersecurity.
Integration of hardware with physical security
Mercury hardware is sold exclusively through OEM partnerships. The new LP4502 controller and access control platform use the Linux operating system. Mercury also provides hardware integration at the controller level with elevator manufacturers such as Otis, Kone and Thyssenkrupp, including “destination dispatch,” which groups passengers going to the same floors into the same elevators, thus reducing waiting and travel times. Mercury hardware is sold exclusively through OEM partnerships. The new LP4502 controller and access control platform use the Linux operating system
Integration of Mercury controllers with LifeSafety Power’s IP-based intelligent power supplies enables system health and diagnostic data to be shared for preventive maintenance.
Mercury also offers several “bridge” products to enable its OEMs to transition installed proprietary systems from outdated Casi-Rusco (GE), Software House I (Tyco) and Infographics (GE) technologies to an open platform using Mercury hardware.
Business as usual
Other recent news for Mercury is the company’s acquisition by HID Global last fall. Mercury Security President Matt Barnette says the acquisition will not impact how Mercury goes to market. “It’s business as usual,” he says. “It’s 130 days into the acquisition, so it’s still early on, but we are continuing to do what we do.”
Steve Carney, HID Global’s vice president of product marketing for physical access control, provided an update from the HID Global perspective to MercTech4 attendees. He reiterated that there would be no change in Mercury’s OEM go-to-market strategy. HID will develop a roadmap for improved combined solutions among the controller, reader, credential and cloud
He emphasised that Mercury’s team and talent remain core to the brand, and HID will develop a roadmap for improved combined solutions among the controller, reader, credential and cloud.
Open architecture companies throughout the access control industry – Mercury’s OEM partners – are incorporating the new boards into their products, each putting their “spin” on those capabilities and expanding the functionality of their systems. At MercTech4, seven of those OEMs hosted small groups of consultants in focused meetings to highlight what’s new with their products.
Lenel honoured as 'Platinum Premier' partner
Lenel, Rochester, N.Y., has been a Mercury's OEM partner since 1995. Lenel is Mercury’s first-ever "Platinum Premier" partner. In recent years, Lenel’s OnGuard system has evolved into a fully browser-based system providing both alarm and cardholder management through web browsers, and access to the platform on a computer, laptop or tablet. OnGuard WATCH (Web Access Trending and Comprehensive Health) provides system monitoring tools and health checks, such as tracking CPU usage and logging error files.
Lenel has introduced its own BlueDiamond mobile credentialing system based on Bluetooth Low Energy and deploying mature technology previously used by sister UTC companies for real estate locks and in the hospitality market.
Feenics, an Ottawa, Ontario, cloud-based access control company, was also among the Mercury OEMs participating in MercTech4. The Keep by Feenics platform is scalable from a single door to a global enterprise environment. A RESTful API provides easy connection of third-party applications. Feenics emphasises cybersecurity in the cloud, using Amazon Web Services, Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption, and Veracode penetration testing. They use MongoDB open source database replica sets instead of Microsoft SQL.
Mercury and several of its OEMs teamed up March 3-4 to present MercTech4, a conference in Miami aimed at updating security consultants about the latest developments
Integration and encryption
RS2 Technologies, Munster, Indiana, is another Mercury OEM highlighted at MercTech4. Their top vertical markets are K-12 schools, utilities, healthcare and government. RS2’s features include a PSIA-compliant interface, compatibility with BACnet and the Pinwheel DME (Data Management Engine) for bi-directional database integration.RS2 offers web-based support, and each edition of the Access It! software implements features suggested by customer
RS2 offers web-based support, and each edition of the Access It! software implements features suggested by customer. Product enhancement is a focus of RS2’s engineering.
Open Options, Addison, Texas, is a Mercury Platinum Elite partner whose customer base spans every vertical, and whose feature set reflects customer feedback. Open Options offers Mercury hardware mounted inside a sleek plastic enclosure, among other form factors. The company emphasises an open business culture and dedication to customer service.
Customer support is a direct phone line to speak with a live person every time to get any issue resolved. Open Options’ DNA Fusion Version 7 platform includes new features such as an updated user experience. DNA Fusion interfaces seamlessly with security technologies — including video, biometrics, wireless locks, and more. Last year, Open Options marked 20 years of partnership with Mercury Security.
Engineering for the masses
Avigilon, Vancouver, B.C., is embracing new Mercury products in its completely browser-based Linux platform that can scale from entry-level to enterprise systems. The ACM (Access Control Manager) software is engineered for IT professionals and is updated every 60 days.
For Avigilon, access control is a component of a broader approach that uses analytics and self-learning to manage massive amounts of data and provide the information an operator needs. The Linux-based system uses features such as the Avigilon “Appearance Search” capability to shift operation of security systems from a reactive to a proactive stance The system uses features such as the Avigilon “Appearance Search” capability to shift operation of security systems from a reactive to a proactive stance.
Genetec, Montreal, Canada, emphasises the value of its “unified” approach that combines video, access control and automatic license plate recognitions into a single platform – designed from the ground up – that incorporates communications, intrusion detection and analytics.
Cybersecurity failures prominent in the news often occur because of negligence – the customer had not implemented a software patch, for example. Genetec helps to manage such concerns. When cameras are deployed in the Genetec platform, the system provides an alert if a new camera firmware version is needed. The Genetec Update Service (GUS) notifies customers of any needed software updates.
Prominence of cybersecurity
Honeywell’s Win-Pak access control software is integrated with the Pro-Watch security management suite. Cybersecurity is a corporate priority for Honeywell, whose products follow the SDLC (systems development life cycle) process with security requirements based on the ANSI/ISA 62443-3-3 standard.
Microsoft's Threat Modelling tool identifies entry and exit points of systems that an attacker could exploit, providing the development team an attacker's viewpoint. The secure product development process includes static code analysis, secure code review, code signing, binary scanning and component inventory.
Products are thoroughly tested by the Product Security Assurance Team and at times by an Advance Independent Testing Team. If vulnerabilities are identified after release, they are handled by the Product Security Incident Response Team.
Cybersecurity issues dominated a consultant roundtable event on the second day of MercTech4. There was plenty of spirited discussion and some valuable insights among the 40 or so participating consultants. More to come on that in another article in the next couple of weeks.

There’s a new big player – and familiar household name – coming into the security marketplace with the announcement of Motorola’s intent to acquire Canadian video manufacturer Avigilon Corporation, provider of video surveillance and analytics. Motorola Solutions points to an “avalanche of video in public and private sectors” as a motivation for the acquisition.
Motorola Solutions’ dominance in the public safety market – where the Chicago company supplies police technologies, radios and other products – will provide new opportunities for Avigilon in a realm where it previously has not been dominant. Avigilon has millions of cameras deployed across airports, rail, streets, and public and private buildings.
Meanwhile, Avigilon will “bring [its] advanced video surveillance and analytics platform to [Motorola’s] rapidly evolving public safety workflow,” according to Motorola, and enhance the larger company’s portfolio of “mission-critical communications technologies.” Avigilon’s end-to-end security and video surveillance platform includes cameras, analytics, video management and video storage.
Avigilon has millions of cameras deployed across airports, rail, streets, and public and private buildings
The broader solution
Early clues point to Motorola positioning Avigilon as part of a broader solution, especially in the municipal/safe cities market. The company says the acquisition will enable more safe cities projects and more public-private partnerships between local communities and law enforcement. Motorola sees Avigilon as “a natural extension to global public safety and U.S. federal and military” applications, according to the company.
The all-cash deal pays CAD$27.00 per share of Avigilon, and totals approximately $1 billion including Avigilon’s net debt. Not a bad price considering Avigilon’s stock price has traded as low as $13 a share in the last year. Avigilon has 1,200 employees with locations in Vancouver and Richmond, British Columbia, and Dallas and Plano, Texas. Revenue was $354 million in 2016. The transaction is expected to be completed in Q2 of 2018.
Deploying pre-engineered solutions
As an innovator in the security market, Avigilon has spearheaded an end-to-end solutions approach. Their success has even prompted some component manufacturers to expand their proposition into a broader “solutions” sale. Led largely by Avigilon, the industry pendulum has swung toward the simplicity of deploying pre-engineered end-to-end solutions. Open systems integrated using best-in-breed components from several manufacturers still have their devotees, and are needed in some situations, but Avigilon has made a strong case for the end-to-end alternative. Others have followed.
The all-cash deal pays CAD$27.00 per share of Avigilon, and totals approximately $1 billion including Avigilon’s net debt
Avigilon has also lately been a leader in implementing artificial intelligence and deep learning, including Appearance Search technology that can locate a vehicle or person from video across a site. Avigilon’s video surveillance platform seeks to transform video from reactive – looking back at what has taken place – to proactive, issuing alerts in real time. Avigilon also recently introduced Avigilon Blue cloud service platform to enable video system users to manage more sites with fewer resources.
Investing and building
Motorola is not a completely new name to the security market. Old-timers will remember Motorola Indala, a previous presence in the RFID access control market that was sold to HID Corp. in 2001. More recently, Motorola Solutions has invested in Vidsys, a provider of converged security and information management (CSIM) software and has implemented Vidsys CSIM through its Protect Series unified platform that aggregates and analyses information from multiple inputs for military and federal government properties. Motorola is also known as the inventor of the Six Sigma quality improvement process - and commitment to quality plays well among security integrators and end users.
Motorola would presumably continue Avigilon’s licensing program, but rules-based video analytics patents’ importance may fade
Avigilon owns 750 U.S. and international patents, including some covering basic underlying principles of video analytics, for which several video companies currently pay licence fees. Motorola would presumably continue the licensing program, although the importance of rules-based video analytics patents may fade as new deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to video analytics emerge.
Channel conflict
A possible concern surrounding the acquisition is the issue of channel conflict. When it comes to larger end user customers, Motorola has embraced a direct-to-user approach that could be problematic in the eyes of Avigilon’s 2,000 resellers. Among the benefits Motorola says they bring to the table is the ability to “leverage [their] direct enterprise safes force for large deals.” They also say they “complement Avigilon’s channel with [Motorola’s] channel network.”
The security industry has a spotty history of larger companies entering the market to buy existing businesses. Some have been a good fit, while others have not. The entrepreneurial spirit of more than one successful security company has suffered under larger corporate ownership, sometimes withering as new corporate overlords cut costs and stifle R&D.
The more successful recent large acquisitions in our market – notably Canon’s acquisition of Milestone Systems and Axis Communications – have worked well because the acquired companies have retained some degree of independence and preserved the existing corporate culture.
In the case of Motorola and Avigilon, obviously, time will tell.

HID Global, a provider of trusted identity solutions, has announced that the government of Tanzania has selected HID as its prime supplier for an end-to-end solution for issuing electronic passports as part of Tanzania’s transformative e-Immigration programme.
The new ePassport was unveiled publicly as part of the inauguration of the end-to-end solution provided by HID Global. The solution incorporates advanced physical and electronic security features, automated passport verification capabilities and support for international standards. Marked by visually stunning landmark imagery, such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar’s House of Wonders, the new Tanzania ePassport contains a contactless chip embedded in its polycarbonate datapage, which is proven as tamper-proof.
HID Polycarbonate Electronic Datapage
HID Global has partnered with DLRS Group for the manufacture of the passport booklets incorporating HID’s polycarbonate electronic datapage. This is the same partnership as for the current award-winning Irish electronic passport, with both the booklet and datapage manufactured at the two companies’ facilities in Ireland.The new ePassport will increase security and make travel easier for the country’s citizens
The new ePassport will increase security while, at the same time, making travel easier for the country’s citizens, such as simply scanning their passports electronically at border control stations upon entry and exit. In addition, the new ePassport conforms to all international standards as set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization, ensuring seamless interactions by Tanzanians as they travel the world.
“Tanzania is taking a leap forward in providing an electronic passport for our citizens,” said Dr. Anna Peter Makakala, Tanzania’s Commissioner General of Immigration. “Our people will be proud knowing they are carrying one of the most secure and modern passports in the world and can take advantage of some of the most advanced technology available.”
New passports help enhance security
Tanzania is not only modernising government services, but also raising security by enhancing the existing issuance process. Verifying the identities of travellers is a high priority for governments worldwide, as they crack down on counterfeit passports and upgrade border facilities.
The e-Immigration solution includes an ePassport issuance system and personalisation facilities in Dar-Es-Salam and Zanzibar -- equipping the application centres and embassies – as well as biometric matching, border control, e-Visas, e-Permits and delivery of electronic passport books.
Stefan Widing, President and CEO of HID Global, said, “We worked very closely with Tanzania’s government to conceptualise and bring into being this state-of the-art passport solution. Their government’s vision for faster, more secure electronic verification of identities matched our end-to-end solution capabilities for citizen identity. Working on a strict timeline, the Immigration team in Tanzania was a strong partner with us to deliver on this exemplary government project.”One of many benefits of the new e-passport solution from HID Global is that the holder can have an “emergency passport” on their smart phone
Emergency passport on smartphone
One of many benefits of the new e-passport solution from HID Global is that the holder can have an “emergency passport” on their smart phone, if their passport is stolen or lost in another country. The emergency passport, verifiable electronically by the embassy, allows the traveller to obtain the necessary document to return home or request a replacement passport without the need for further online checks, filling out forms or other time-consuming tasks. This mobile emergency passport is made possible using HID’s award-winning Seosâ technology for mobile citizen IDs, called HID goID.
HID Global has shipped more than 150 million government-issued IDs in over 50 countries for major projects that include national ID, e-passport, foreign resident ID, driver’s licence and vehicle registration programmes. HID products and technology are present in sixty percent of all government issued electronic identity projects globally.
Leveraging this experience, HID Global has formed a multi-year relationship with the government of Tanzania to ensure the highest levels of security for many years to come.